Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Deputy John Absalom, Kevin Everett, George Gillon, Alastair Moss, Deputy John Owen-Ward, Deputy Michael Welbank, Mark Wheatley, Philip Woodhouse and Alderman Sir David Wootton.

There were no declarations of interest.

To agree the public minutes and summary of the meeting held on 21 January 2014.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2014 be approved as a correct record.

To note the list of outstanding actions.

The list of outstanding actions was noted.

To receive a presentation from Dr Kilbane-Dawe (Par Hill Research Ltd).

The Chairman welcomed Dr Iarla Kilbane-Dawe, Par Hil Research Ltd, to the meeting to present a report regarding air pollution in London. Dr Kilbane-Dawe informed Board Members that:

Air pollution was highly localised - exposure increases rapidly with proximity to sources. Exposure is strongly determined by individual’s routes or home environment.

Vehicle motioncaused pollution - moving vehicles and heavier vehicles generate PM10 by wearing down vehicle parts and road surfaces.

Inefficient buildings and dirty heating systems caused pollution - building design was often driven by appearance rather than energy efficiency, causing waste. Biomass systems emit extremely high air pollution levels.

Dirty vehicle motors and fuels reduced air quality - diesel is very polluting, but some fuels are cleaner and/or cheaper: petrol, LPG, CNG, EVs. In urban driving condition, most diesel vehicles don't meet the required NOx limits that have been set in vehicle Euro standards.

In response to queries from Members, Dr Kilbane-Dawe advised the following:

·         Cyclists and drivers were mostly likely to be affected by poor air quality.

·         Research showed that coating road surfaces did impact on air quality, as less dust was sprayed into the atmosphere.

·         Air quality underground had not been researched, however due to the high dust levels and lack of ventilation it was highly likely that the air quality would be poor.

·         It was necessary to involve Public Relations Officers from the offset to ensure that the public were receiving messages about how to protect themselves against air pollution.

·         A joined up approach would be necessary to tackle this problem; Committee reports due to be considered by Streets and Walkways Sub Committee may benefit from consultation with the Health and Wellbeing Board Members.

·         The public smartphone ‘App’ had been launched which informed the public of less polluted ways of travelling to their

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received in relation to Air Pollution.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

A report of the Town Clerk was considered regarding the Scheme of Delegation and Standing Orders.

RESOLVED – That,

1.    the delegations relating to the Directors of the Built Environment, Markets and Consumer Protection and Open Spaces as set out in the appendix including the following additional amendments from the Director of Open Spaces and the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection be approved;

i)     Director of Open Spaces

Cemetery and Crematorium –

Paragraph 34. To extinguish to Exclusive Rights of Burial in a grave that has not been used for over 75 years.

Paragraph 35. To refund fees paid by City of London Corporation employees and Members of the Common Council or their close relatives burial or alternatively cremation.

ii)    Director of Markets and Consumer Protection

Page 53 -Port Health and Public Protection Division – it is proposed that the delegations listed under this sub heading are also delegated to the Port Health and Public Protection Director in the absence of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

2.    that the amendment to Standing Orders relating to the declaration of operation property assets which are surplus to requirements be noted.

Report of the Town Clerk.

A report of the Town Clerk was considered which explained the legal position of the City of London Corporation with respect to taking action on the issue of light pollution.

In response to a question, the Director of Transportation and Public Realm agreed to speak with the City Planning Officer to discuss the possibility of examining potential light pollution as part of future planning applications.

RESOLVED – That the City Property Advisory Team/Town Clerk be authorised to write to building owners and occupiers in the neighbourhood where residents had been affected by light pollution to alert business owners of the problem and to prompt engagement.

Report of the Remembrancer.

A report of the Remembrancer was received which set out the main changes made to the City’s street trading regime and its powers in relation to City Walkways following the passing of the City of London (Various Powers) Act 2013.

The Committee expressed thanks to the Remembrancer’s Parliamentary Team and those in both Houses who worked on the Act.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Chamberlain.

A report of the Chamberlain was considered which proposed an increase to the proportion of assets held as investments in order to maximise growth of the Bequest, whilst still being able to achieve its aims through the award of dowries.

RESOLVED – That,

1.    the purchase of City of London Charities Pool units such that the remaining cash balance of the Bequest at 1 April 2014 be between £750 and £800; and

2.    the Bequest’s holding of Charities Pool units be reviewed at three-yearly intervals hereafter, and the Chamberlain be authorised to sell units if the cash balance falls below £450 before the next review takes place.

Report of the Director of Built Environment.

A report of the Director of the Built Environment was considered which informed the Committee of the completion of the project for the installation of barriers at Tower Hill and Patenoster Square public conveniences and the installation of a ‘Urilift’ at four locations across the City which had been identified as suffering from ASB street urination.

RESOLVED – That the completion of the project be noted.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered which reported on the Port Health and Public Protection Out-of-Hours Noise Service.

·         With regard to noise nuisance in Clothfair from taxis picking up late in the evening -  it was agreed to clarify what legislation was in place; and

·         It was agreed that a report for discussion would be submitted to the next meeting in relation to massage and special treatment fees.

RESOLVED – That the proposals set out in paragraphs 27 to 32 of the report be approved.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was received in relation to alleged ‘’Closing Down Sales’’ in the City and the misdescription of goods as being genuine ‘sale’ items.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Open Spaces.

A report of the Director of Open Spaces was received regarding the Cemetery and Crematorium Public Consultation review.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

There were no questions.

Any items of business that the Chairman may decide are urgent.

There was one item of urgent business –

Thames Estuary Partnership Board– The Chairman informed the Committee that this was Nigel Challis’ last meeting of the Port Health Committee and thanked him for his work as the Committees nominated representative on the Thames Estuary Partnership Board.  Mr Challis replied and provided the Committee with a brief overview of his experience on the Board over the last year.

Members noted that the appointment process for a new member would be clarified at the next meeting.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part I of the Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To agree the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2014.

RESOLVED – That the non-public minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2014 be approved.

Joint report of the Directors of the Built Environment, Markets and Consumer Protection and Open Spaces.

A joint report of the Director of the Built Environment, the Director for Markets and Consumer Protection and the Director of Open Spaces was received which informed the Committee of the arrears of invoiced income outstanding as at 31 December 2013.

Report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection.

A report of the Director of Markets and Consumer Protection was considered and approved relative to the Port Health Restructure.

There were no questions.

There were no items of urgent business.

Being his last meeting as Chairman, Deputy John Tomlinson thanked the Committee and Officers for their support and continuation over the past three years.

The Chairman expressed thanks to Katie Odling for the support she had provided to the Committee over the last 2 years.